Sustainable Development of Microelectronics Industry

4. Summary

Electronic products contain numerous noxious substances, among them many metals, in components and boards. In general, the amount in a single electronic device is comparatively low in absolute numbers and even decreasing due to miniaturization.

However, the enormous growth of production numbers and the short innovation cycles compensate this positive tendency and lead to rising burdens for the environment by discarded products. Additionally, there is the significant impact of the complex production processes, such as raw material extraction or microchip production and others.

Therefore, there are efforts in many countries to evaluate and control the environmental impact of microelectronics. By careful optimization of microelectronic products and processes, as described in the two examples in this paper, the harmful impact on the environment can be minimized during the ongoing rapid development of production numbers and new technologies in microelectronics.

Facing the product numbers and growth rates forecasted for the developing countries by the ICT-Industry, all materials, especially toxic metals in electronic components, need to be closely examined. However, this examination should not primarily aim at legal regulations and the ban of materials, but on product responsibility and the environmental awareness of the producers.